Gifts In Stoneware

Napkin holder and creamer

Ok, so like I mentioned earlier last week, my best friend of many, many years is FINALLY getting married. They are having a small bridal shower for her. I got the idea to make her some pottery to go along with the table cloth and cloth napkins she had down on her want list. The cloth items are all white with some sheeny squares. The perfect backdrop for juicy pottery.

So, this is what I came up with to compliment what I purchased from her list: four napkin holders, a creamer, and a sugar bowl. (I can safely show you cause her computer bit the dust a few years ago and she has been without one since then. So I know I'm not spoiling the surprise.) I haven't really pulled pottery in months. Since January I think. I'm just beyond disgusted with my small kiln. I can fire up one pot and 2 small things at one shot. Really a waste of electricity for cone 6 if you ask me.

I need a big kiln...STAT!

I never even intended to pull pottery. I mean, these things were just beyond my reach. At least, that is what it felt like in school when I was trudgin to and fro on campus from illustration class to pottery class. I saw the school's huge gas kilns and their rows of wheels and the pottery majors full of mud working away in their private, dirty little studios and thought, "Seems too secluded and complicated for me." Then, years down the road, I find myself making little medallions in my toaster oven. That is when the thought of buying a small kiln hits me. A whole new world opens and then I began to wonder about wheels and if a small one would shut up the little voice inside that is crying to make pottery again like I did years ago in college. I could make all the crappy vessels I wanted without anyone looking over my shoulder or judging how I'm doing. No one to be tapping their fingers waiting to use the wheel I just snagged after waiting an hour for another student to be finished. Everything would be on MY time. MY clay, MY glaze colors, MY....everything. Just me and my thoughts alone in a secluded studio...away from commissions and forums and the routines of daily living.

I find a small wheel and buy it and then find out the ceramics store in NJ delivers to Brooklyn on Tuesdays and all of a sudden I'm neck deep in lbs of clay, greenware and glazes. Now I can even give serious gifts to loved ones and feel truly proud. I've even sold a table full of finished pieces! Never in a million years did I ever see myself doing this. Never.

I have to say that I pulled the best stuff I have ever pulled these last two weeks. Of course, it could be the new kiln guardian that Barb sent me. Sorta wierd....he comes along and walla...no more disasters? It could be that I'm just really inspired to be celebrating with my best friend and doing so the very best way I know how. Making something for her. I'm so happy these days are finally happening for her. I almost can't wait to have fun with her again and yuk it up.

Wall Hangers

Wall hanger with lace impressions

I tend to hoard things. If something rips or breaks I can not throw it away. I have a special area in my storage room for items like broken china, ripped jeans, and old pillows with lace coverings. You just never know when you'll need that special "something" to complete a project.

Recently I saw some hand built clay items online. A few of these pieces had every day objects like baskets and leaves pressed into the clay. A fascinating idea that I decided to take even further by pressing an old lace pillow into my clay. The lace left gorgeous marks that were the perfect addition to a few vessels that were less than spectacular.

Another wall hanger
Lace impressions

This afternoon I have two more of these wall hangers cookin' in the kiln with a few other items. I'm excited to bring them to finish fully with the new glazes I acquired. I'm really getting inspired by hand building and have set aside just a little bit of time after working on the visiting Mini Scarlett tomorrow for more hand building with clay.

Just a quick aside...."Listen" the rattie had her tail molded in plaster this morning. I'm very happy to say that it came out brilliantly with the use of those Legos! I'm so fired up! So very fired up about mold making right now. It's making me want to finish all the wax sculpts I started.

Two Vases

Quick shot of Scarlett and two vases

Today I have two vases and a Scarlett getting ready for final trimming and tweaking. I'm thrilled with how high I was able to pull up the vases and am very happy with how the Scarlett resin came out in her appaloosa coat.

Last night I spent quite a lot of time with the Scarlett resin in hopes of finishing her by Thursday or Friday. If all goes well tonight she will be complete and ready for her final studio shots tomorrow night. While I painted her I fired up the kiln to cone 6.

Newest stoneware vessels

I had a few smaller stoneware vessels inside and I knew I piled on the glaze, but didn't think too much of it since I've piled glaze on before. Turns out it was just a little TOO much glaze and the excess stuck to the bottom of my kiln. Even with kiln wash on I had to rip the vessels from the floor thus creating substantial craters in my kiln floor. Perhaps I needed to add more kiln wash before I fired up? I'm not really sure, but I will be more careful next time I glaze up my stoneware. The glaze colors though made up for the disappointing accident. The colors are amazing and flow into each other so interestingly.